Therapeutic Effects of Aloe Vera Against Diseases

We used to have an aloe vera plant in the backyard of our house. If we were burnt by spattered hot oil from the frying pan, we were sent out to pluck a leaf of the aloe vera and rub the sap on the burn to soothe the pain.

Now clinical researchers published in reputable journals reveal that aloe vera has healing effects against diseases. Here’s some of the studies with their findings on this cactus-like plant :

* Aloe helps in healing wounds

A study published in the Journal of the American pediatric Medical Association found that both oral and topical aloe preparations speeds up wound healing. It was given at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight daily for two months or as a twenty five percent cream applied directly to the wounds. Aloe vera was found to have positive effects in both groups, compared to the control group, which did not receive aloe vera.

* Aloe protects skin damage

Aloe vera may help protect against skin damage from irradiation, according to researchers at Hoshi University in Japan. Published in the journal Yakugaku Zasshi, the report found aloe vera to be an effective antioxidant, mopping up the free radicals caused by radiation. It was also shown to protect two of the body’s healing substances, superoxide desmutase ( an antioxidant enzyme) and glutathione (an amino acid which stimulates the immune system).

* Aloe vera can help in treating inflammatory bowel disease

According to a study in the Journal of Alternative Medicine, patients given aloe vera taken orally showed significant improvement after one week with 100 percent improvement in the diarrhea, 40 percent with normal and regular bowels, and 30 percent showing increased energy.

* Aloe vera against diabetes

A reduction in the blood sugar level average of 45 percent was notedin a group of noninsulin dependent diabetic patients given aloe vera extract daily for 14 weeks. This was reported in the journal Hormone Research. The researchers did not note any changes in the total weight of the patients. There was no control group in this study.

* Aloe has anticancer properties

Japanese researchers suggest that aloe vera may help prolong survival time and stimulate the immune system of cancer patients. In a published study in the Japanese medical journal Yakhak Hoeji, experimental animals with cancerous tumors showed a 22- percent increase in their life span when given aloe vera. A separate in vitro study on human cancer reported that high doses of aloe vera significantly suppressed the growth of the cancer cells.